Based on the knowledge of Naphthalene metabolism, it is believed that this
compound causes initiation of cancers via its activation and interaction of
1,2-Naphthoquinone with DNA to form the depurinating adducts [28].
Furthermore, 1,2-Naphthoquinone can be reversibly reduced to
2-Hydroxynaphthalen-1-one in the reaction catalyzed by Aldo-keto reductase family
7, member A2 (aflatoxin aldehyde reductase) ( AKR7A2 ), Aldo-keto reductase family
1, member A1 (aldehyde reductase) ( ALDX ) and Aldo-keto reductase family 1,
member B1 (aldose reductase) ( ALDR ) [29], [30], [21], [31].